Public health advocates yesterday sought to ramp up pressure on the White House to issue a proposal that would cut the amount of sulfur in gasoline and consequently result in less harmful tailpipe air emissions.

The coalition, including the American Lung Association and American Heart Association, said the so-called Tier 3 standards are "urgently needed" and asked the White House to finalize them by the end of the year.

"Nearly 159 million Americans still live in areas where the air is too dangerous to breathe," the advocates wrote in a letter to President Obama. "Cleaner gasoline will benefit their health immediately."

EPA is considering a proposal that would cut the limit of sulfur allowed in gasoline from 30 parts per million to 10 ppm, bringing the United States in line with several European countries and California, which has already set more stringent standards.

The letter marks the second time in two weeks that proponents of the proposal have called on the White House to issue it (Greenwire, Jan. 10). EPA is widely believed to have the regulations written, but the rules stalled last year in the face of refining-sector opposition.

The sector argues that the regulations will lead to gas price increases and could force some refineries to shutter. Industry groups met with Obama confidante and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett last March, and the Tier 3 proposal was discussed (EnergyWire, Oct. 2, 2012).

Advocates said in the letter that the standards are a cost-effective way to reduce emissions of harmful volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.

"The National Association of Clean Air Agencies estimates that by lowering the sulfur content in gasoline, the nation could immediately reduce the amount of air pollution equal to removing 33 million cars and light trucks from our roads," they wrote. "Reducing the sulfur in gasoline will build on the strong foundation of your efforts to increase fuel efficiency and cut carbon pollution in half by 2025."

EPA has said the cost of the regulations would be only about a penny per gallon. The agency also indicated on its 2013 agenda that it plans to release the proposal by April, though those dates often slip.

Some agency observers have suggested that when Obama chooses a successor to outgoing EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson could play a role in the timing of the proposal. Because of the significance of the regulations, the White House may want to issue them after the Senate confirms a new administrator.

It is unclear when Obama will nominate Jackson's successor. Current deputy Bob Perciasepe will handle the job in an acting role when Jackson leaves next month after the State of the Union address. Perciasepe is seen as a possibility to fill the job permanently, as are a host of other candidates, including former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) (Greenwire, Jan. 8).

In addition to the Lung and Heart associations, the American Public Health Association, the American Thoracic Society, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Health Care Without Harm, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the Trust for America's Health signed onto the letter.

They said the regulations can't wait.

"Americans have the right to breathe clean and healthy air," they wrote. "In our work to improve the health of our patients and the public, we know first-hand that the air too many Americans breathe puts their health and their lives at risk."

Click here for the letter.